The American Cemetery at Colleville-sur-Mer, overlooking Omaha Beach, is perhaps one of the most hallowed grounds in Western civilization. Resting there are 9,389 young soldiers and airmen who braved the beaches of Normandy to confront fascism and preserve democracy. Their humanity, sacrifice and courage should forever be honored.
But on June 6, Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth turned a solemn D-Day tribute into a political rally, trying to score cheap points with an anti-immigrant screed. He equated the invasion of Normandy to the influx of immigrants to various countries in Europe: “Sadly today, different European beaches are stormed by DIFFERENT, DANGEROUS IDEOLOGIES … will European capitals do something about that invasion, or is it too late?”
Hegseth, who fancies himself a warrior, has no clue about the enormity of this moment in history – and is the face of our own rising fascism. Bravo to the French who opposed this travesty.
Susan Kaesler
Hesperus